Obocchama-kun REBORN to Air in 2027, First All-New Anime in 35 Years

Obocchama-kun is returning with its first completely new anime in 35 years. Titled Obocchama-kun REBORN, the series is set to air on the TV Asahi network in 2027 as a Japan-India co-production. The new anime will feature notable manga episodes that have never previously been animated, along with original stories fully supervised by creator Yoshinori Kobayashi. Chie Kojiro, 65, will reprise her role as protagonist Chama Obo.

Quick Summary

- Obocchama-kun REBORN is scheduled to air on the TV Asahi network in 2027, 35 years after the previous anime ended in 1992.
- The Japan-India co-production will consist entirely of new animation, including previously unadapted manga episodes and new stories supervised by Yoshinori Kobayashi.
- Chie Kojiro will return as Chama Obo, a role she has voiced since the original anime began in 1989.
- The new project originated after the earlier Obocchama-kun anime became a major hit in India following its 2021 broadcast there.

Obocchama-kun Returns With Its First New Anime in 35 Years

The completely new anime Obocchama-kun REBORN is scheduled to air on the TV Asahi network in 2027. It will be the first new Obocchama-kun anime since the previous television series ended in 1992, marking a 35-year gap.

The entire production will feature newly made animation. In addition to notable episodes from the original manga that have never previously been adapted into anime, the series will include original stories created under the full supervision of original creator Yoshinori Kobayashi.

New cast information has also been announced. Chie Kojiro, 65, will continue in the lead role of Chama Obo, also known as Obocchama-kun.

Obocchama-kun began serialization in Monthly CoroCoro Comic in 1986. Based on the gag manga that became closely associated with Japan's Showa and Heisei eras, its television anime adaptation began airing on the TV Asahi network in 1989.

The series became a nationwide hit and grew into a social phenomenon. The distinctive language spoken by its protagonist, known as “Chama-go,” became especially popular among children. Catchphrases such as “Oha-yogurt,” a play on the Japanese morning greeting ohayo, and “Sonna banana” were widely imitated in classrooms and on the streets.

The work also received the 34th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Children's category.

The Story of Chama Obo and the Obo Zaibatsu

The story follows Chama Obo, the extraordinarily wealthy heir to the globally rich Obo Zaibatsu.

With financial resources far beyond ordinary expectations and a relentless stream of outrageous gags, Chama drags everyone around him into one chaotic situation after another.

Alongside the comedy, the series depicts his relationships with his highly distinctive family members and classmates. Through those interactions, the story also explores friendship and human warmth, helping the series remain popular with audiences across generations.

The REBORN Project Began With Obocchama-kun's Success in India

The creation of Obocchama-kun REBORN began in India.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the original Obocchama-kun anime series was broadcast in India. It became a major hit, ranking No. 1 in ratings among children's channels for 40 of the year's 52 weeks.

Strong requests from India for a new series led to the launch of the production project.

Meanwhile, 40 years had passed since the original manga was created in Japan. After repeated discussions between Yoshirin Kikaku, which represents the original work, and TV Asahi, the new story of Chama that had begun with the response from India developed into Obocchama-kun REBORN around the milestone of the manga's 40th anniversary.

Maiko Sumida of TV Asahi's International Business Development Department explained how the project came together:

“Obocchama-kun REBORN originally started in India. When we introduced the Obocchama-kun anime in India in 2021, it became an enormous hit as an endlessly cheerful gag anime at a time when India was struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was launched because people kept saying, ‘We absolutely want to see a sequel!’

“Soon afterward, executives from the Indian broadcaster came to Japan to meet Yoshinori Kobayashi. Their enthusiasm moved him, and an all-new Japan-India co-production worthy of the name REBORN was born!

“And now, crossing both time and national borders, it is making a ‘kame-back’ to Japan. We hope longtime Obocchama-kun fans as well as newly REBORN fans will enjoy it.”

Teaser Brings Back Chama and His Signature “Chama-go”

The newly released teaser video begins with a helicopter arriving on an island. After traveling through a jungle and exploring a cave, flames appear in Chama's eyes before the doors of a mansion open to reveal him looking just as he did before.

He immediately greets fans with “Gobusatango,” a playful Chama-go expression meaning roughly “long time no see.”

After a series of unpredictable antics, the teaser closes with another burst of Chama-go, including the familiar phrase “Oha-yogurt.”

Chie Kojiro has voiced Chama since the television anime first began in 1989 and will return for the new series.

“No matter how many years have passed, Obocchama-kun has continued to live in the memories of so many people, and Chama has always remained alive inside me,” Kojiro said.

“I can still go full throttle with the same voice and energy I had back then! I wanted to do this! Thanks to all the experience I've gained since those days, I've been able to become more deeply involved in the work together with the staff. The recording sessions were so much fun that I truly felt, ‘We're creating this together!’

“I simply can't wait for it to air! ‘Pokkunn is back-buai! Everyone, watch it kuri-kuri!’”

Yoshinori Kobayashi Looks Ahead to a New Generation of Fans

Original creator Yoshinori Kobayashi also commented on the return of the series.

“The generation that knows Obocchama-kun well is probably now in their 40s and 50s. Their children watch the old manga and anime, and there are actually already children who are Obocchama-kun fans.

“When I do live events and things like that, children sometimes come backstage with their parents. One of those children brought along a worn-out Obocchama-kun paperback, and when you see something like that, it's just adorable.

“When the anime airs, they'll be able to watch a new Obocchama-kun story. I'm really looking forward to seeing how children of the Reiwa era react to it and how they accept it.”

Kobayashi also said he hopes the revival will introduce younger viewers to gag manga.

“Recently, there don't seem to be people trying to become gag manga artists anymore, so Obocchama-kun might actually feel fresh to children today. They might think, ‘There really is a manga that you can simply laugh at like this.’

“If something like that inspires someone to want to become a gag manga artist themselves, that would be wonderful. In that sense as well, I think there is real significance in Obocchama-kun continuing to survive.”

Reflecting on his own relationship with the series, Kobayashi said the manga still makes him laugh when he revisits it.

“When I reread my old Obocchama-kun paperback editions, they're still incredibly funny. I really do love making people laugh.

“No matter how serious an event I'm attending, I think laughter is necessary. I start thinking about how I can turn something into a laugh. I can't help trying to make people laugh.

“I come up with ideas for Obocchama-kun in all kinds of situations. I think, ‘If this were an Obocchama-kun setup, I could do something like this,’ and the ideas just keep coming.”

Kobayashi said he believes one of Chama's greatest charms is his appearance and his uninhibited personality.

“I think part of what makes Chama so lovable is that he looks cute. He has those big, round eyes, and he's cute, isn't he?

“And he acts very honestly when it comes to his desires. I think that's another part of his appeal.

“It's REBORN, after all. He's being born again. I hope people can once again recognize that there was something in this world called gag manga. I hope it becomes such a huge hit that I won't even be able to go outside anymore!”

Obocchama-kun REBORN Anime Information

Title: Obocchama-kun REBORN
Network: TV Asahi network
Broadcast: 2027
Original Work: Obocchama-kun by Yoshinori Kobayashi
Cast: Obocchama-kun / Chama Obo — Chie Kojiro
Production: TV Asahi
Animation Production: Green Gold Animation
Production Cooperation: Shin-Ei Animation, Sony Pictures Networks India

FAQ

Q1. When will Obocchama-kun REBORN air?
A1. Obocchama-kun REBORN is scheduled to air on the TV Asahi network in 2027.

Q2. How long has it been since the previous Obocchama-kun anime?
A2. The previous television anime ended in 1992, making Obocchama-kun REBORN the first new anime in 35 years.

Q3. Who will voice Chama Obo in Obocchama-kun REBORN?
A3. Chie Kojiro will reprise the role of Chama Obo, whom she has voiced since the original television anime began in 1989.

Q4. Why was Obocchama-kun REBORN created as a Japan-India co-production?
A4. The project began after the original anime became a major hit in India following its 2021 broadcast, prompting strong requests for a new series.

Q5. What new material will Obocchama-kun REBORN include?
A5. The anime will feature previously unadapted episodes from the original manga as well as original stories produced under the full supervision of creator Yoshinori Kobayashi.

Source : ORICON NEWS